OUR HISTORY

From Abbey to Brewery to Taproom: Award-Winning Beer from a 1300-Year-Old Tradition The Benedictine Order is named for Saint Benedict (ca. 480-547) of Nursia, Italy. St. Benedict established rules for monastic life, one of which was hospitality. This called for providing sustenance in the form of “liquid bread,” or beer. This 1300-year-old tradition continues with Christ in the Desert Benedictine Monastery and its brewing arm, Abbey Brewing, which crafts fine, award-winning beers.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF MONASTIC BREWING

Saint Benedict of Nursia (ca. 480 – 547), the father of western monasticism, wrote The Rule of Saint Benedict, which still guides. More...

MONASTERY BREWERY

Monasteries in Europe have a 1300-year tradition of brewing craft beers, so it should come as no surprise that a Benedictine monastery in the American Southwest produces a range of European monastic styles of beer that delight the palates of experienced and novice consumers alike. More...

TAPROOM

Since the very first release, Monk' Ale, in 2005, Abbey Brewing's beers have been available in New Mexico in both on-premise and off-premise locations. More...

CRAFTING FINE ALES THAT REFLECT THE DEDICATION TO QUALITY INSTILLED BY ST. BENEDICT

PEOPLE BEHIND

ABBEY BREWING

The People of Abbey Brewing

Honoring St. Benedict’s precepts for monastic life and the importance of hospitality and self-sufficiency, the monks of the Benedictine Monastery of Christ in the Desert grow and brew hand-crafted ales for lovers of beer. We work hard to craft our award-winning ales in the tradition of the great European monasteries as we follow our goal of the contemplative life in the wilderness of Chama Canyon in Northern New Mexico

ABBOT PHILIP LAWRENCE

He became the Prior of Christ in the Desert in 1976. In 1984 he was elected the first Conventual Prior of the Monastery and 1996 he was elected the Abbot of the Monastery. More...

BROTHER CHRISTIAN LEISY

Brother Christian Leisy, OSB, was born on December 10, 1952, in Portland, Oregon. He attended Catholic grade school and public high school in Portland. More...

BROTHER THOMAS BENEDICT BAXTER

Born and raised in Iowa, Brother Thomas-Benedict, after entering religious life in 1972, has made his home many different places both in the US and abroad. More...

ABBEY'S MUG CLUB

MORE ALE FOR LESS

Enjoy more of Abbey Brewing when you join our Mug Club. With an annual membership, you receive discounts on all full pours, sampler trays and growler fills. You will also enjoy savings on half and full pours of our wines, packaged beverages, kegs, single bottles and our merchandise!